As we’ve seen during the pandemic, retail workers are essential. According toNCSL, 1 out of 10 domestic workers in the US works in the retail industry. So it should be a given that retail employees get adequate pay and have generally decent working conditions. A schedule that makes sense can be one example of those conditions.
The OP of this story came into a job in which the situation was the opposite. The management wanted their bookkeepers to be unhappy and overworked for some reason. Well aware of their rights, the userHonest_Star7348took this as an opportunity to teach the entitled management a lesson. They shared their malicious compliance story with the Internet in an attempt to encourage other retail workers to stand up for their rights.
The OP of this story agreed to have a chat withBored Panda. She told us more about what inspired her to share this story and how important it is to stand up to nonsensical management rules. Check out our interview with this exceptionally strong lady below!
Work schedulers and management are responsible for employees’ schedules to make sense
Image credits:Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)
But this particular bookkeeper felt the boss only wanted to flex their authority, so they came up with a plan to teach them a lesson
Image credits:SHVETS production (not the actual photo)
Image source:Honest_Star7348
What exactly are ‘clopens?’
Image credits:Tim Mossholder (not the actual photo)
Clopening shifts can have negative side effects on the employees. If the time between shifts is short, say, four hours, workers might not have enough time to sleep. That can lead to poor performance at work and even burnout over time.
All these factors can lead to the employees feeling dissatisfied. And what do workers do when they’re not happy? Well, one option is to quit. This might be the reason why some companies or stores have high turnover rates.
The OP shares how she learned from other women to be such a strong-willed person
Image credits:Sora Shimazaki (not the actual photo)
“One of the things I’m working on within myself is the ability to talk about my experiences freely. Telling this story on Reddit is my first step to opening up,” the OP tells Bored Panda about her inspiration behind the post.
“I wanted to encourage others to speak up for themselves and protect themselves with [their] available knowledge. I wanted to give back what I received from life and other excellent employees (work ethic, knowledge, strength, faith, and courage to speak up for myself.)”
The Redditor also tells us a little bit more about her background and how she became so determined. “I was a mother of two and my mother’s primary caregiver before age 22. I didn’t know anything about life. I only knew I wanted to be better for myself, my children, and my family. I didn’t go to college during this time. But my life changed when I got my first ‘professional’ job at a paper company.”
“We loved being around one another. We worked things out if someone was in a work bind. I loved going to work. We are still friends! I felt seen and knew my worth! This job experience was my foundation for everything else to follow.”
“I sustained a disabling workplace injury,” the Redditor shares. “That’s another story about how badly management treated me. It took years to accept my limitations.”
“I have a degree in Human Services (minor in Administration), Business Management, and a Certificate in Paralegal studies. I haven’t been a workplace rebel in a while. I’m now trying to find a new normal for myself and my place in the working world that fits my abilities and limitations.”
This is not the first time the Redditor has stood up for herself in a workplace
Honest_Star7348 tells us she believes that employees should have the knowledge and a decent work ethic to build confidence to stand up to management. “Having all the pieces in place is essential before taking a stand,” the Redditor explains.
“Employees should ensure they’re on time, not on their phones, not constantly calling off work, and doing their job. A person’s work ethic tells others what they need to know about them and makes their voiced concerns louder or muted.”
The situation described in her post on r/MaliciousCompliance wasn’t her first rodeo. She has stood up for herself like this in the past. “I have experiences that stick out more than others, but it always was something I needed to stand up for. I’m currently working on another management story.”
“I’m not a workplace rebel. I promise,” the Redditor smiles. “Going into these positions, I knew my work ethic, worth, and capabilities. I had the faith and confidence to stand on my work and stand up for myself without fear.”
“I don’t directly stand up for colleagues,” the OP also clarifies. “I tried that once and was an army of one (me). Colleagues often benefit from me standing up for myself. I find ways to show others how to stand up for themselves. I am a reference point, even if it is not my expertise. Because whatever I don’t know, I can research, learn, and effectively communicate.”
The OP advises how to act if you ever find yourself in a similar situation
Image credits:Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
We asked Honest_Star7348 whether she would have any advice for people who are experiencing unfair treatment at work but can’t find the courage to speak up. She says it’s not worth sacrificing your health and sanity because of fear of saying something or taking appropriate action.
“Learn, research, and talk to others to gain knowledge,” the OP tells Bored Panda. “I recommend documentation for everything. Document (record) what is happening, if possible, until [you] get the courage to say something.”
“If they are in a comparable situation, they gain more confidence in what they’ve contributed to their position. That confidence can sometimes carry over to speaking out, filing a complaint, or leaving.”
Her last piece of advice is to be ready for what might happen once you bring your issue to the management. “Just because an employer says they have an open-door policy for suggestions or complaints doesn’t mean there might not be backlash,” the Redditor warns.
You can read the reactions from the commenters below
There were people who also shared their own nightmare stories
Thanks! Check out the results:Indrė Lukošiūtė
Gabija Palšytė
Dominyka
Work & Money
